Happy Memorial Day Mainers!

While many of us celebrate Memorial Day enjoying a work-free Monday with hamburgers, hotdogs, family and friends — Memorial Day is about honoring and remembering the brave men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice defending our great and noble country.

Our country is embroiled in an epic tug-of-war. One side is pulling the country to the Left; giveaways, open-borders, thought-police and “if it feels good, do it.” Meanwhile, on the other end of the rope, patriots are digging their feet into the dirt and hauling the line back toward American exceptionalism, traditions and values.

It is our soldiers who’ve died in service who have enabled us to fight for the future of the United States. We could not Make America Great Again, if not for the price paid by these American heroes.

With that in mind, we asked some Maine-first favorites to share their feelings on the Holiday marking the unofficial start of Summer.

Rep. Larry Lockman says Memorial Day reminds us what is good about America.

“Everyday I fight back against the thought-police in Maine,” Rep. Lockman said. “Memorial Day reminds me of Ronald Reagan’s warning that freedom isn’t in our DNA, that it’s always just one generation away from extinction. I’m so thankful for our military men and women from the past and present. I’m grateful for their families who miss out on so much. And I will always remember and honor the heroes who lost their lives defending our rights as Americans.”

Former Special Advisor to Gov. LePage, Aaron Chadbourne hopes that he is in some way able to pay forward what our heroes have provided him.

“I never served, so for me; MemorialDay is a time to remember those who did,” Chadbourne said. “And (it’s a time to) be thankful for the freedoms they helped enshrine for me, and reflect on how I can help protect them for the next generation.”

Chadbourne tells Maine First Media, since working with Gov. LePage, it’s become a Memorial Day tradition to plant flags at veteran cemeteries in Maine. He also visits both of his grandfathers’ graves.

Gov. LePage’s energy expert, James LaBrecque has a Memorial Day tradition of his own. Each year, LaBrecque and his special needs son march in parades supporting good public servants who are needed to serve the best country in the world.

And LaBrecque stresses the importance of remembering the meaning of Memorial Day.

“To ensure a continued culture of respect and appreciation by future generations that would otherwise lose sight of the immense national values we’ve come to enjoy as a result of the many who made the ultimate sacrifice,” LaBrecque said.

Rep. Beth O’Connor says it’s an honor to pay tribute to the military members.

“While expressing our gratitude and respect for the men and women of our armed forces I must say we are grateful for those who returned home safely from their tour of duty to live the remainder of their days as nature ordained,” Rep. O’Connor said. “It is, however, with heavy hearts that we honor those individuals who died in the line of duty.”

Rep. O’Connor says these heroes have incentivized American citizens to seek lasting peace and better purpose in life.

“The greatest tribute that we can pay to them and their Gold Star parents is to apply to our own lives the strong faith and undaunted courage that was theirs,” Rep. O’Connor said. “The members of our armed forces answered the call of duty without hesitation or reservation. They put their lives on the line and met great challenges face to face. Not for fame or fortune, not rank and glory, but simply with a commitment to duty.”

And Rep. O’Connor adds, even if you disagree with why the military was fighting at any given time, we must not hold the disagreements against the ones fighting the battles.

“Although there has been controversy surrounding some of our conflicts, never forget, that those who fought — fought with a pureness of heart and mind,” Rep. O’Connor said. “They fought with courage, and they died with honor. They should be criticized by none and praised by all. Bless the souls of each and every one of our fallen and the families and loved ones that will miss them always.”

Rep. Heather Sirocki summed up what Memorial Day means to her by pointing to a famous poem and asking us to share it.

In Flanders Fields was written by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae during the First World War. McCrae’s words were inspired by the funeral of a fallen friend and fellow soldier.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.